5 Dream Celtics Trade Deadline Targets

Size, bench depth among Boston's primary needs
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stayed relatively quiet at the 2023 deadline, going out and getting center/forward Mike Muscala from the Oklahoma City Thunder as his only move.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stayed relatively quiet at the 2023 deadline, going out and getting center/forward Mike Muscala from the Oklahoma City Thunder as his only move. / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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Barring a harrowing collapse over the next week, the Boston Celtics will head into the Feb. 8 trade deadline with the best record in the NBA.

But the last thing they should do is get complacent.

During an early-December episode of "Run It Back," an NBA show presented by FanDuel TV, The Athletic's Shams Charania said that he expected Boston to be active in trade talks as the deadline approached.

Well, the Celtics are now less than two weeks away from their last chance to bring in reinforcements via trade, and there are plenty of names out there that could move the needle further toward Boston's 18th title.

Here are five that the Celtics should heavily consider pursuing:

1. Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers

Given its recent acquisition of Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors, Indiana appears to be gearing up for a deep playoff run, and Toppin is reportedly one of three players the Pacers are willing to shop -- along with Buddy Hield and Jalen Smith.

Toppin has made a significant jump in his first season with Indiana, averaging career highs in points (11.2), rebounds (4.0), assists (1.6) and minutes (23.2) per game.

What stands out most are his shooting splits, though. Toppin is connecting on 57.9 percent of his attempts from the field, including 39.3 percent of his tries from beyond the arc -- both career bests.

Considering Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla puts so much emphasis on the 3-ball, Toppin would likely fit seamlessly into the Celtics' system. Only question is, come Feb. 8, will Indiana be willing to part ways with him at a reasonable price, or is he just too valuable to the Pacers' second unit?